Ross's crossover appeal was obvious. And soon, everyone from hipsters to straight gangtas were downloading the Maybach Music capo's mixtapes. So began the year of the Don.

Man of the Year. Clad in a black tuxedo, dark sunglasses, and a pinkie ring the size of a Mini Cooper, Ross appeared on the cover of The Source's December 2010 issue. He was the mag's "Man of the Year."

Ross was humbled. "It's unexplainable," he said. "For me to commit my life and chase this dream for over a decade without making a penny, it's no way to explain when you finally seeing the fruits of your labor."

Maybach Music World Takeover. In May 2011, Ross and MMG released its first compilation, Self Made Vol. 1, featuring the Bawse on 11 of 15 tracks, though never as the lead MC. He was just showing support for and backing up some of the dopest rappers in the game, such as Wale, Meek Mill, French Montana, and Stalley.

GQ took interest and profiled Rozay in that year's October issue. Again, Ross was exposed to a broader audience, building his reputation as a hip-hop heavyweight — theoretically and literally.

"I'm enjoying life," he said in the piece. "Being a boss. Like all true bosses, one day you gotta give it up... I just have my homies or whatever bringing me the best food. I smoke the best weed. I get the best massages. I keep myself in shit like this."

Present Day. Ross couldn't speak with New Times for this piece. He was far too busy doing baller shit like "selling dope straight off the iPhone" and collaborating with Dr. Dre and Jay-Z on "classic hip-hop shit" like "3 Kings."

No doubt big homie is the Bawse. And believe, the takeover ain't even complete.